Cure: FDA approves tablet form of blood cancer treatment
UC expert says more patients may potentially benefit from approval
Following positive results of clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a tablet version of a drug called Calquence for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL) and previously treated relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
The drug was previously approved in capsule form, but the tablet form is able to be given to patients who are also taking drugs that reduce gastric acid.
"Patients with blood cancers like chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma are often older and may face multiple medical conditions that may need intervention, including acid reflux or peptic ulcer disease,” John Byrd, MD, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center member, Gordon and Helen Hughes Taylor Endowed Chair and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in UC's College of Medicine and a UC Health physician, told the publication Cure. “This provides another option for some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma, enabling more patients to potentially benefit from this treatment.”
Read the Cure article.
Featured photo of John Byrd, MD. Photo/University of Cincinnati.
Related Stories
These teeny spiders are social media stars
August 28, 2026
The New York Times turned to a University of Cincinnati professor to explain the appeal of jumping spiders on social media.
An internal divide among unions on AI impacts the Wisconsin gubernatorial race
August 28, 2026
Anne Lofaso, a professor in the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at UC, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio, about the schism among unions over AI and whether it is a plus, a negative, or somewhere in between when looking at job creation.
On-site training in Speech & Hearing Clinic sets UC’s programs apart
August 27, 2026
At the University of Cincinnati’s Speech & Hearing Clinic, Doctor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology graduate students gain real-world experience while providing free speech and hearing services to the community.